Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Thursday revealed that he has been struggling to find a residence in Delhi which would cater to the special needs of his two differently abled daughters.
The former CJI will be vacating his official residence by April 30.
“We have two beautiful daughters, who have needs, but it has been difficult to find a house to cater to their needs. Every public space is the same. For too long, our society has kept the disabled under the curtain of ignorance and suppression,” he stated.
He was speaking at a panel discussion titled “Disability Rights & Beyond” organised by Mission Accessibility.
Justice Chandrachud and his wife, Kalpana Das, have adopted two daughters, Priyanka and Mahi. These daughters have a medical condition called nemaline myopathy. He has publicly spoken about the challenges his family faces due to this rare genetic condition.
The event began with Advocate Rahul Bajaj, co-founder of Mission Accessibility, delivering the welcome address.
Reflecting on his time as a judge, Justice Chandrachud spoke about the ripple effect of judicial decisions.
“As a judge, you cannot imagine the impact of your judgments. There are ten reasons to deny relief, but we need just one good reason to give it.”
He recalled how Bajaj had written to him as a Rhodes Scholar expressing a desire to work with him.
“I was wondering why someone would leave a Rhodes Scholarship to work with me. But my experience with him was truly enlightening.”
The former CJI recounted the journey of adopting his daughters while serving at the Allahabad High Court.
"Initially they were just bones and flesh. The mother had completely ignored them thinking they were a lost cause," he recalled .
He described taking them to medical institutions for "intrusive and painful" tests, sharing a particularly moving memory of his older daughter expressing concern for her sister.
"My older daughter kept saying I don't want my sister to go through this."
Despite these challenges, his daughters have transformed his family's outlook on life, introducing them to veganism and instilling in them a profound respect for animals and the environment, the former CJI said.
The former CJI also highlighted his initiative to establish Mitti Café, an inclusive workplace for persons with disabilities, to the Supreme Court.
“We wanted to show that disability is not a barrier. They are capable of leading a dignified existence—as service providers, not just service receivers," he said.
He shared how the initiative inspired the President of India to start a Mitti Café at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
He also batted for prioritisation of disability related cases by courts
“You need a bench with empathy. These are not like IBC matters. Disability law cuts across the societal gamut.”
The former CJI highlighted a shift in the judicial mindset, referencing how the Supreme Court once held that blind persons couldn't join the judiciary only to reverse its stance years later.
“What began as an isolated instance is now becoming a movement. Persons with disability are entitled as a matter of right, not as a matter of concession,” he remarked.
Justice Chandrachud also advocated for rethinking the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act:
“Employment is gradually shifting out of the public sector. We need to relook at the Act to include sanctions, voluntary compliance, and clear time schedules.”
He called for greater collaboration between academia and the private sector and suggested creating a cohesive national platform for disability advocacy.
On mental health, the former CJI labelled the Mental Healthcare Act as “forward-looking,” especially for decriminalising attempted suicide.
In this regard, he highlighted workplace pressures, especially in the legal profession.
“I think it’s now important to accept that mental health is under serious stress in urban environment. Legal profession is the chief amongst them. It’s understood that if you go to a law firm, you will have to work on all days. By saying we should have a 70 hour work week, you are not doing any service to a labour surplus economy. For every person who leaves, there will be someone who replaces them."
He stressed the importance of inclusive legal practices and suggested that the government should engage lawyers with disabilities beyond just pro bono work, and should leverage technology to improve access.
Justice Chandrachud proposed mandatory accessibility audits for public spaces and advocated for teaching sign language basics in schools.
The event also saw the launch of a new law firm—Zen Access Law Associates—by Rahul Bajaj and Amar Jain. The for-profit firm, led by lawyers with disabilities, will focus on corporate law, IP rights and litigation, while remaining open to all.
Justice Chandrachud concluded by reaffirming the need for inclusive platforms.
“The court is just one avenue for change. Let’s not belittle the role of civil society.”
[Watch Video of the Event]